One of my FAVORITE movies as a kid was Pete’s Dragon…ok it’s still a favorite movie. It still makes me happy when I watch it, I still know every word to every song and I *loathed* the recent remake. Don’t mess with a classic, ya know? I couldn’t believe that Elliot was a huge furry green dog…um, no. Green cartoon dragon that resembles a pear or nothing at all, ya feel me? And although every song hits me right in the feels, there’s just something about Helen Reddy standing on the balcony in her white ensemble and curly bun singing Candle on the Water out to the ocean.
I’ll be your candle on the water
My love for you will always burn
I know you’re lost and drifting
But the clouds are lifting
Don’t give up, you have somewhere to turn
I’ll be your candle on the water
‘Till every wave is warm and bright
My soul is there beside you
Let this candle guide you
Soon you’ll see a golden stream of light
It’s just too good. Which is why every time I’ve seen a lighthouse in my life, I think about that scene. So you can imagine I had a big Pete’s Dragon moment in Portland, Maine. Portland has some of the most iconic lighthouses in the country which is why on our recent trip there, we devoted a full morning to going on a little self-guided tour of three of them. While I plan on writing a full travel guide of our time spent in Maine, I thought some lighthouse photography deserved a post of its own. Keep an eye out for the full travel guide, but for now…feast your eyes on some beautiful New England coast.
Spring Point Ledge Lighthouse

This is THE most dangerous trek I’ve ever made. I was in heeled boots and you literally have to walk all the way out to the lighthouse leaping from rock to rock. For real. How they’ve continued to let people do this is astounding haha I was a little terrified the whole time, but those views…kinda made it worth it.
On our way out to the lighthouse, there was a beautiful fog everywhere and on the way back the fog had cleared and the sun came out which made for some pretty cool contrasted pictures!
Bug Light


Bug Light and Spring Point are both tiny little structures, so the main event is really the Portland Head Light. We were told it was the most photographed lighthouse in the country by a bartender, but I’m not sure if that’s accurate considering how many gorgeous lighthouses are all over the East Coast. Nevertheless, it was gorgeous. Especially in the morning fog. See for yourself!
Portland Head Light



XOXO, Thessali
coastal photography east coast travel lighthouse photography lighthouse tour lighthouses Maine new england new england coast Portland Portland Maine
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